MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The immensity of the power as the F404 afterburning turbofan engine came to life was deafening. Vivid blue flames shot out from the exhaust into a long, black tunnel as a collateral duty inspector checked the engine for problems in the dimly lit test cell, which looks like a warehouse.

Marines at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 Power Plant Division Test Cell work to ensure the F/A-18 engines do not fail during flight.

The test cell operators use Jet Engine Test Instrumentation to monitor air pressure, fuel pressure and oil pressure, among other things, to see if anything is wrong with the engine.

“If there is any kind of maintenance done on the engine we bring it here, take it apart, inspect each module that makes up the engine and, if everything is correct, we put it together and test it to ship out,” said Sgt. Alejandro Ramos, a test cell operator with MALS-11 and a Houston, Texas, native.

It takes about an hour-and-a-half to two-and-a-half hours to complete a performance run or a full-build run, which is required when a component is changed or when modules are internally replaced, explained Cpl. Jared Bitz, a CDI with MALS-11 and a Latrobe, Pa., native.

A multitude of things could go wrong in these test cells, but there is always a Marine or test cell personnel standing by with the sole purpose of watching over everything and making sure it is safe, explained Ramos.

“All the way from the start up of an engine to shut down there can be fires, parts that are not tightened down could be shot out of the engine, or it could stall or explode,” said Bitz.

The CDI conducts a safety brief for the test crew, operators and safety observer prior to every start.

It takes a lot of patience and professionalism to be part of a test cell, explained Ramos. Marines must ensure every part of the jet engine is correctly assembled and working properly. They must also work with the CDI who makes the final leak check and approves the engine for use in an active aircraft.

“Getting to the last step before the engine goes onto the flight line and into an [aircraft] feels amazing,” said Ramos.

After the engine functions properly and there are no problems, the CDI gives approval to prepare it to go back to an aircraft.